Natural populations

Subsp. cunninghamiana occurs across much of eastern Australia, from southern New South Wales to northern Queensland and inland for up to 400 km, fringing freshwater rivers and streams;

Subsp. miodon is found along rivers in the Northern Territory and the far northwest of Queensland.

Subsp. cunninghamiana may be up to 35 m tall with a well-developed trunk, while subsp. miodon does not attain the statue of the typical form being more straggly and only up to 12 m tall.

Flowering and seeds

This species is dioecious with male and female flowers on separate plants. Flowering occurs during February to March [3,4]. Female plants may bear woody cones in an indehiscent state for protracted periods but in tropical areas cones shed seed soon after maturation. There are about 700 viable seeds per gram; seeds start to germinate in about 5 days if grown at 25-35°C with no pretreatment required [4].

Cultivation and uses

Casuarina cunninghamiana is a tall, nitrogen fixing tree suitable for cultivation across a wide range of climates, extending from cool temperate areas to the seasonally dry tropics. Under cultivation it tolerates drought, seasonal waterlogging and slight to moderate salinity [5] but requires protection from grazing animals during the establishment phase. It has been used in agroforestry, particularly where shelterbelts area required to protect crops and livestock from wind, as it makes an excellent windbreak [2]. It is considered relatively slow growing but produces outstanding fuelwood. In some overseas countries the wood has been used to manufacture particleboard [2].

References

[2] Doran JC, Turnbull JW (eds.) (1997) Australian Trees and Shrubs: species for land rehabilitation and farm planting in the tropics. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Canberra [ACIAR books online: http://www.aciar.gov.au/publication/MN024]